It amazes me how fast time goes the older I get. The Lenten season started seven weeks ago,  and as we begin again, I have been thinking over these last weeks. I am astonished at what Northmont has been a part of as the hands and feet of Jesus. We received and installed Pastor Ben with a luncheon afterward. We fed the people at Pleasant Valley Shelter. The children met for five Wednesday club nights. The youth prepared and served a spaghetti luncheon for their mission trip! David worked with the choir to sing 18 choral pieces. Rashmee played beautifully as always. There were brass and drums, and as we look forward to the bells performance this Sunday, we are blessed to be able to lift our voices and worship our God!

The young tweener-age children went on a retreat to Crestfield, where we each were asked to find our song. What is yours? Do you have one? I was surprised to realize very quickly that I do have one and I never realized that my favorite hymn is my faith journey. "I Praise God" for that revelation; it has begun a new outlook on my journey.

Together as a community we celebrated communion, including the Maundy Thursday service, which is a very powerful last supper communion.  We did weekly devotions together led by Ben, as he prepared us to find out more about scripture and how and what it means to us as a congregation and as individuals.  We gathered together for worship 11 times - one with Wexford Community Church, when as one body we sat and broke bread together. Then a few days later, we decided on a winner for the chili cook-off. But, that is not all we did, the Knitwits gathered every week to knit and pray and talk. Northmont Delivers delivered. We have prayed for those who have received good and not so good health news, celebrated births, and shared in the sorrow of deaths.

PW and Stephen ministers, as well as NBC planned many wonderful things for the community here at Northmont and beyond. Praying the Psalms continues, as does Confirmation Class and Sunday school. The staff at  NCDC were nurturing the children. So much was happening, and I am sure I am missing much more.  Lastly, there were seven staff meetings held, along with umpteen team session meetings. The office moved at a rapid pace, working together for the good of all.  As a community, a faith based family, we did all of this in such a short time. Blessed is how I see it.  

This month, we have a new member's class, the 3-19's will be leaving for the youth retreat this coming weekend, followed by a lock in at  Fun Fore All! Wednesday Club starts again in May, and a joint VBS is being planned with Northmont as the host church.  Join us for Produce to People on April 21. What a great way to find JOY by helping those in need.  

I wonder what people feel and see as they pass the church this week and see the cross full of beautiful flowers. What do they see when they drive by? Do they get a nudge from the Holy Spirit - go in and see what is happening in there?  

The children, our children, whom we have promised to nurture and guide, they see it. They are learning how to be a community of believers, just by watching and listening, and I have to say, it does my heart good. They ask, "can I help?" What can I do? That is inspirational. 

Did Northmont promise to nurture you?  Are we doing just that?  Have you heard the Holy Spirit whisper... "go use your talents, your gifts, join a class, learn to knit, cook with others, pray for the multitude, work in the gardens, ring a bell?"  Maybe you like teaching, or nurturing kids is your thing. Whatever it is, there is a place for you. My suggestion would be to just pray and listen! We are a community, a family of believers all in it for the same purpose - not for ourselves but for others. Jesus said - "feed my sheep, care for my flock." That is what we are and what we do. What is your song?  

As we start anew, just like the earth every spring, let us help each other to be the body of Christ.  

With JOY,